Life from the Ashes Book 2 - Hope and Faith
Chapter 10
Having a Babyby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, April 2
4:00 a.m.Frohike waited outside the mansion as Skinner's truck pulled up; he yanked the passenger door open and pulled Mulder out hugging him tightly. "I hate it every time you get yourself killed!" he exclaimed.
A small crowd poured out of the mansion, each taking a turn hugging Mulder. Many of the guests that had their sons with them had departed several hours earlier.
Dana Scully held back anxiously until most of the men headed back inside. "Mulder . . . " she broke down crying in his arms.
"Ssh, Scully, it's all right," the agent murmured, holding her and stroking her hair.
"I'm just so happy . . . I thought I'd lost you forever," she sniffed, stepping back and looking him over. "Mulder, what the hell do you have on?"
He hadn't had a chance to change into the clothes Krycek had brought for him. Ignoring her question he introduced his friends to her. "Shinji Takeda, Rory MacIver, this is Dana Scully."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Scully replied.
"Mulder's told us a lot about you, Dana, it's certainly a pleasure to finally meet you," the Scotsman beamed, kissing her hand.
Skinner had waited patiently for everyone to greet his lover. He knew Mulder was exhausted and he wanted to get him inside, bathed, and into bed. Krycek also stood by waiting; he wasn't going to let their lover out of his sight anytime soon.
Yori came out and walked up to Mulder embracing him, he kissed him on each cheek, realizing the tired agent was barely able to stand. He turned to the A.D. and his brother. "Walter, Alex, I'll say your good-byes to your guests for you . . . I think you should put Mulder to bed."
Mulder glared briefly at the large Russian, insulted. Yori's comment made it sound like he was a child incapable of getting to bed himself, instead of a man who had just trekked across Mexico. He took a deep breath, and let it go by, he was just too exhausted to make an issue over it tonight.
"Thanks, Yori. Could you show Mulder's friends to the guestroom, they look like they could use a goodnights sleep, too," Skinner instructed. He had been upset at having the Scotsman under his roof at first, but observing him during the trip back, he realized the smaller man was extremely attentive of Shinji Takeda, not Mulder. He still wanted to talk with MacIver in private about his relationship with Mulder, but he was no longer jealous.
"Goodnight, Mulder," Scully said, as Kimberly, Tony, her brothers, and nephews came out of the mansion. Kimberly and Tony were putting them up in their guestrooms for the night.
"Night, Scully," Mulder murmured sleepily as Skinner led him into the house.
The A.D. didn't question his brother as Krycek followed them into his and Mulder's bedroom. He could share Mulder for one night with him, besides, he doubted their lover was up to anything more than sleeping.
"Alex, I'll run a bath for Fox, you can start stripping that obscene outfit off him," the A.D. shook his head after getting a glimpse of the skin tight leather clothing under the duster.
"I'm quite capable of undressing and bathing myself," Mulder complained tiredly as Krycek tossed the duster over a chair and started undoing the buttons on his vest and pants. He was still stinging from Yori's comment a few minutes ago.
"We're aware that you are, but we want to do this for you . . . just humor us, okay?" Krycek pushed Mulder down onto the bed so he could wrestle the boots off his feet, then he peeled the pants off.
"C'mon, lover, let's wash that trail dirt off you." Krycek led his naked lover into the bathroom.
Skinner had stripped to his waist and knelt by the tub with a bar of soap and a washcloth. Mulder stepped into the warm soapy water and sat, leaning back against the side of the tub, he submerged himself to his neck. The A.D. soaped the washcloth and started gently washing him. Mulder felt uncomfortable at being touched, but he tried to control his uneasiness for his lovers' sake.
Krycek walked back into the bedroom and retrieved the soiled garments, he threw them into the hamper in the bathroom. They would decide later what to do with them. He put the boots in the walk-in closet, then went back into the bedroom and turned down the blankets on the king-sized bed.
He strolled back into the bathroom and waited impatiently for his brother to finish bathing their lover. Skinner shampooed the agent's hair and used the hand-held sprayer to rinse the soap from it. He reached down and pulled the drain, Mulder sighed, not wanting to leave the warm water. Krycek held up a thick, plush, bath sheet and wrapped it around the agent's body as he stepped out.
Mulder stood there nervously, finding the attention distressful. He was still suffering emotionally from the violent treatment he had received at the hands of the Consortium doctors. He knew deep down that his lovers would never harm him, but he felt himself shrinking back from their touches.
"Okay, Fox, let's get you to bed," Krycek said, leading the agent back to the bedroom.
"Alex, if you don't mind, I would like to put on my boxers and sweats!" Mulder snapped. Pulling away, he headed into the closet and quickly pulled on his underwear, sweatpants and a T-shirt. He felt a little more secure with the clothing shielding his body.
Krycek was hurt by Mulder's angry tone; he didn't know what he had done to set the agent off. He glanced at Skinner who also looked concerned over their lover's abrasive behavior.
"Fox, would you like to talk about what's bothering you?" Skinner asked softly.
"Walter, I just need a little space. I'm sorry I snapped at you, Alex, it's not your fault," Mulder apologized. Exhausted he headed into the bedroom and climbed under the covers, falling to sleep the minute his head hit the pillow.
"C'mon, Alex, let's join him. We both could use a good nights sleep, too." They both stripped down to their underwear and Skinner climbed in on his side of the king-sized bed, pulling Mulder into the center so his half-brother could slide in on the other side.
"Walter, is he going to be okay?" Krycek asked stroking Mulder's back, the agent didn't even stir.
"We'll need to give him time, he's been through a lot."
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Friday, April 2
1:00 p.m.Skinner walked into the kitchen, he had been up for hours -- he never could sleep once the sun was up. He had spent most of the morning helping Yori clean up from the party that ended once they had returned with Mulder. The Russian was preparing their houseguest something to eat, MacIver sat at the counter reading the newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee, looking totally at home.
"Good afternoon, Mr. MacIver," Skinner said solemnly.
"Please, call me Rory. Let's dispense with formality, after all, we're going to be living together for a while," the smaller man grinned cheerfully.
"Okay. Just how long are you planning on staying with us, Rory?"
"Just until I can find myself suitable employment and a secure place to live with Shinji. I can't be too careful where his safety is concerned."
"I can understand that, you must have become very close on your trek through Mexico." Skinner tried to keep from sounding like he was interrogating the man.
"Walter, why don't you just come out and ask me. You want to know if I had sex with Mulder?"
"Did you?"
"Yes, he never would have made it if I hadn't. I care about Mulder a great deal, but I'm in love with Shinji. I have absolutely no intentions of touching Mulder again, he already made it clear his heart belonged to you and Alex, and that I didn't stand a chance with him."
"Rory, what happened to him at the base?"
"I don't know the details. All I know is that Mulder and Shinji were degraded, humiliated, and sexually assaulted. They're both emotionally wounded, it will take them some time to get over it," MacIver said seriously.
"Mulder didn't mention anything that may have happened to him?"
"No," he replied sadly, then switched the subject. "Is there a chance I could get a lift into town? I need to purchase some new clothing for Shinji and myself."
"Sure, I'll ask Alex to take you."
"Oh, by the way. Shinji doesn't want to go to the Japanese embassy, he said if the ambassador wanted to see him, he'd have to come here," MacIver stated, folding the newspaper and picking up the sandwich Yori had just placed in front of him. "Thanks, Yori."
"You're welcome, Rory, is there anything else you need?"
"No this is fine," he smiled. He just realized how sweet of an arrangement moving in here was; it might take longer for him to find that suitable job than he originally planned.
"The ambassador isn't going to like that, are you sure you couldn't talk Shinji into going?" Skinner asked.
"Walter, it's like I was telling you, Shin doesn't feel comfortable around strangers or government officials right now. He wouldn't even go to see your President at the White House if he was invited."
"Okay, I'll call his embassy and explain the situation to them . . . they are just going to have to live with it."
***
Krycek lay awake in the sunlit bedroom, staring lovingly at Mulder who was sleeping next to him. He was extremely happy; he had the man he loved more than anything on earth back sleeping next to him. His hand caressed the agent's face, slowly waking him. Mulder peered at him through heavily lidded eyes.
"You're awake," Krycek murmured.
"Yeah," Mulder felt extremely disoriented, he wondered what Krycek was doing in his and Skinner's bed. "Where's Walter?"
"He got up hours ago. It's just you and me, lover," Krycek purred. Rising on one elbow, he bent down and brushed his lips over Mulder's.
Mulder jerked away. "Alex, please . . . I don't want to have sex . . . I need some time to myself . . . please . . . don't touch me," the agent stammered, moving farther away from Krycek's warm body.
"Sure, Fox . . . I would never harm you. Can we talk about what's bothering you?" Krycek tried to keep his voice even and the hurt from his eyes, but he was unsuccessful. Mulder shrinking away from him in fear was just too much.
"Alex, I'm sorry . . . I just need some space . . . I have some things I need to work out on my own." Mulder sighed, getting out of bed, he avoided looking into Krycek's hurt filled eyes.
Krycek sighed, getting out of bed himself, he pulled on his clothes from last night and left the bedroom. He went up to his own bedroom to shower and change. Determined to give Mulder the space and time he asked for, no matter how much it broke his own heart.
***
One Month Later
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 1
3:00 a.m.The bed creaked loudly under the weight of the two men locked passionately together. Skinner slammed hard into his beautiful lover's body, again, and again, making up for nearly a month of celibacy. The only time Mulder had allowed either him or Krycek to have sex with him was when his withdrawal pains hit. Mulder had even moved into one of the guest bedrooms, much to their protests.
Skinner and Krycek tried to be considerate of Mulder's feelings, allowing their lover time to overcome the deep emotional wounds caused from being held prisoner by Consortium. However, a month was an awfully long time to go without the warmth and comfort of Mulder's body. To make matters worse the more space they had allowed him the farther withdrawn he became he even started to avoid any contact with them.
Therefore, they developed a plan to force their lover to deal openly with his feelings. They arranged their time so one of them was always with Mulder. They didn't force themselves aggressively on him, instead they made small romantic gestures, holding his hand while out for a walk together, snuggling on the sofa while watching television, kisses on the cheek, simple hugs.
Their efforts finally paid off big time. Mulder showed up in the A.D.'s bedroom last night, slowly undressed, and crawled underneath the covers nestling next Skinner's muscular body. The agent rested his head on the larger man's shoulder and slowly told the older man everything that had happened to him at the base. Being rape by the doctors and Slava's revenge against them, his mental withdrawal into a secret area of his mind, and being comforted by the large Cossack. Mulder was crying and trembling when he got through with his story, Skinner held him gently kissing his forehead.
"Walter, I want you to make love to me like you use to," Mulder murmured, clinging to him.
"Fox, are you sure?"
"Yes."
Now here they were four hours later and still going at it hard. Mulder had not appreciated Skinner's kid glove approach at first, and took over, forcing the older man to lose control. The agent felt Skinner's teeth bite into his shoulder as the larger man stifled a cry and for the third time, shot his hot release into his body.
They both collapsed exhausted onto the bed; the A.D. withdrew his softening penis, pulling Mulder's back against his chest. He ran his hand over his lover's smooth chest and belly, smearing the sticky semen over the agent's body.
"Fox, you know how much I love you, don't you?" He murmured licking the side of Mulder's throat.
"Yes, as much as I love you. I'm sorry I've been such a pain in the ass the past month," he murmured, grasping Skinner's hand he brought it up to his mouth and sucked each of his fingers, licking the milky semen from them.
Skinner sighed with contentment, "Fox, I want us to make our commitment to each other legal."
Mulder turned around in Skinner's arms and looked into his warm, cocoa brown eyes. "Walter, did you just ask me to marry you?"
"Yes, I have a ring . . . I was going to ask you New Years Eve, but the whole situation with Slava and Alex sort of threw it out the window. Fox, would you marry me?" Skinner held him tighter, looking pleadingly into his ever-changing hazel eyes, which currently shone a brilliant green.
"Yes," Mulder answered simply.
Skinner beamed happily and captured his mouth in a deeply possessive kiss. This was the happiest day of his life, Mulder agreeing to marry him and their daughter was going to be born today.
There was a brief look of anxiety in Mulder's eyes. "Fox, what's wrong?"
"Alex . . . it might not be fair to him," he sighed.
"If Alex wants to marry you he can ask you himself. Fox, the Congress has written several new laws dealing with today's society, bigamy is no longer a crime."
Mulder smiled brightly at him. "Does Alex know?"
"Well, I did ask his opinion on the matter," Skinner murmured.
"Then it was all right with him?"
"Well . . . let's just say he wasn't opposed to the idea."
"So marriage wasn't a scary concept to him?"
"No, he seemed to like the idea, a lot."
"Oh . . . Ooh," Mulder caught on suddenly to what Skinner had left unsaid. "Does this mean I'll be going on two honeymoons in the near future?"
"I'm not saying anything. C'mon, let's take a shower, then get some sleep, we need to be at the clinic by noon." Skinner couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice.
"We'd better, it'll probably be the last good nights sleep either of us will have for the next two years," Mulder grumbled.
"Fox, it won't be that bad . . . we'll take turns getting up." Skinner turned on the shower.
"Walter, the kitchen is over a hundred feet from our bedroom," Mulder complained, stepping under the spray.
"The exercise will do you good. Besides, I plan on setting up a schedule. Once we're organized, it should be a piece of cake." Skinner ran a soapy washcloth over Mulder's chest and belly.
Mulder's smoothed his hands down Skinner's torso, stopping at his groin. "I read that book you have on taking care of an infant, it said they require eight to twelve diaper changes a day." The agent leaned in and nipped Skinner's nipple, receiving a moan from the older man. "I know I promised to share the responsibility fifty-fifty, but I didn't have all of the facts at the time, I'd like to renegotiate our agreement."
Skinner chuckled, "Dream on, Fox."
"C'mon, Walter, this really isn't fair . . . when Faith is born, I'll be changing fifty percent of her diapers, too," he whined.
Skinner couldn't help himself from laughing. He was laughing so hard tears were rolling down his cheeks. "It . . . it was . . . your idea to h . . . have . . . two lovers . . . live with it!" he guffawed.
"I really don't see anything funny about it," Mulder pouted, stepping out of the shower.
Skinner rushed out after him, grabbing his arm he swung the agent around pulling their damp bodies together. "Fox, you're not joking . . . this really is bothering you?"
"Walter, it's not really about changing diapers. I reluctantly agreed to have Hope with you, but Faith was unplanned. Having two babies is scaring me to death." Mulder rested his head on Skinner's shoulder.
"You're not raising them alone, Alex and me will be there for both our daughters and you." Skinner grabbed a towel and started drying Mulder and himself.
"I can't help but get a queasy feeling in my stomach just thinking about them. Our lives are going to be completely changed; we're not going to have the freedom to just up and leave when we want. Well, I don't have that freedom anymore, but you and Alex do, what's to stop you from leaving me stuck at home with the two crying babies, while the two of you go out on the town together!" Mulder complained as Skinner pushed him toward the bed.
"Fox, you're acting paranoid. Alex and I aren't going to start painting the town together and leave you stuck at home with the children. Get your butt back in bed, we'll talk about this in the morning," Skinner groused.
"I want it in the prenuptial agreement," Mulder quipped, snuggling up to Skinner's warm body breathing in his freshly showered scent.
"Go to sleep, Fox," Skinner murmured, kissing him, then immediately drifting off to sleep.
Mulder glanced up at his peaceful sleeping face, sighing, he wasn't looking forward to Hope's birth. He didn't understand why his lovers wanted to have children so badly.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 1
9:30 a.m.Mulder was downstairs swimming laps in the indoor pool. He hadn't been able to fall to sleep; he was too wound up. The agent rested against the side of the pool, breathing heavily. He looked up when the elevator doors open. He smiled at Shinji as he stepped out wearing swim trunks and carrying a towel.
"Hi, Mulder, mind if I join you?"
"No, where's Rory?"
"Still sleeping, I think I wore him out last night," the young man smirked.
Mulder laughed, it was obvious who the dominant one was in his friend's relationship. "Shin, you've had him worn out for the past month. Maybe you should consider taking on a second lover . . . isn't your government sending over some likely candidates for you to choose from?" he joked as Shinji dove into the pool surfacing next to him.
"Yes, they're sending over five sorcerers." Takeda made a face at the thought.
"If it bothers you, why don't you just tell your government to take a hike?"
"Mulder, I have a responsibility for the future of my country. I can't just turn my back on them," he sighed, leaning up against the side of the pool. "The Japanese government doesn't have the technology that the U.S. government has for procreation, so they are going to work with Doctors Harris, Pendrell, and Jackson. At least that allows me to remain in this country with Rory."
"So, you're really going to go through with it? What does Rory say?" Mulder stared into the younger man's troubled eyes.
"Yes I'm going through with it, but it's only for the one time. Rory isn't at all happy about it, he wants me to tell them to shove it . . . he's so cute when he gets all protective of me," Shinji grinned.
The elevator went back up to the third floor and returned a minute later with MacIver. "Well if it's not my favorite men, I really don't see why either of you bother wearing swim trunks," he stated as he canon balled into the deep end, splashing both men.
"So what are you two discussing?" he grinned, swimming over to them.
"Shin was asking my advice on aphrodisiacs, I'm afraid I wasn't much help, since neither of my lovers have a problem in that area," Mulder replied straight face.
Shinji started laughing, he laughed even harder at the look of embarrassment on his Scottish lover's face. He turned to MacIver and kissed him. "Mulder's just joking with you, Rory."
MacIver recovered quickly from his embarrassment. "I knew that. So, Mulder, today's the big day."
"Don't remind me," Mulder grumbled climbing out of the pool.
"You don't sound excited about becoming a father." MacIver looked up at him.
"Would you be?" the agent asked picking up his towel.
"Well, yeah, someone to carry on your name and bloodline after you're dead . . . it's a form of immortality . . . oh sorry, I forgot . . . you and Shinji don't have to worry about that." The Scotsman shrugged his shoulders sadly.
Mulder knelt down and looked him in the eye. "Rory, neither do you." He smiled at the questioning look that the Scottish sorcerer threw him.
"Mulder, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Ask Alex to explain it to you," Mulder smirked heading for the elevator, he hoped that Skinner was up; he was starving.
Mulder strolled into his and Skinner's bedroom his lover was no longer in his bed. He heard creaking coming from the nursery, stepping into the small room he found the older man sitting in a rocking chair staring dreamily out the bay window. His lover was already dressed in an elegant suit and tie. Mulder glanced around the room; the swan cradle was in front of the bay window, and a crib was in the center of the room with a mobile hanging over it. A small changing table stood against one wall with a covered wastebasket next to it, and a small dresser was next to the door, he knew it was already full of clothing for their daughter.
"Walter, I'm going to grab a quick shower, how about you fix us breakfast then we can head to the Procreation Center?" He kissed the older man's cheek, receiving a slow grin from him.
"Yeah that sounds like a good idea," Skinner murmured not making an attempt at getting out of the chair he was still looking out the window.
Mulder left him sitting there, heading into their bathroom. He stripped off the wet swimsuit and laid it over the bathtub to dry. The agent stepped into the shower and shampooed the chlorine from his hair. When he finished with his shower, he dried himself, then stepped into the large closet. He picked out his nicest suit, knowing that this event was going to garner a lot of press coverage.
He hung it on the back of the door while he shaved and dried his hair. He felt a little rebellious so instead of his boxers, he pulled on the black thong Slava had given him. He put on his conservative suit and tie, liking the feel of it underneath.
Skinner was still sitting in the rocking chair. Mulder knelt down next to him. "Walter, c'mon let's go, it's too late for you to make me breakfast now, and we have to be at the clinic by noon."
Skinner smiled at Mulder as he helped him to his feet. "Fox, would you mind driving?" he murmured.
"Walter, you're shaking like a leaf. Did you remember to put the infant seat in the truck?" He guided the older man out of their bedroom.
Krycek and Yori were waiting for them in the foyer; they were accompanying them to the clinic. Mulder tossed the car keys to Krycek and the young man snickered. The A.D. never let anyone drive his precious truck. "Nerves a little frayed, brother dearest?" Krycek asked Skinner.
"Shut up, Alex, just get us to the clinic in one piece," Skinner growled.
Mulder looked at the younger man, kissing him on the lips. "Alex, it's not a good time for joking, I don't want Walter to have a nervous breakdown and leave me all alone with the kid," he whispered loud enough for Skinner to hear.
"Fox, shut up and get in the damn truck," the older man ordered, temporarily getting over his bout of nervousness. Skinner and Mulder climbed in the back seat with Hope's car seat between them. Yori sat up front next to Krycek.
Skinner reached over the car seat and took Mulder's hand smiling as Krycek steered the car onto the main road heading for the clinic.
***
Procreation Center
Saturday, May 1
1:00 p.m.Mulder sat flipping through a magazine in the waiting room, glancing up occasionally at Skinner who was pacing back and forth. Yori and Krycek had gone to the cafeteria for lunch thirty-five minutes ago after Doctor Harris had explained the process for removing the baby from the growth cylinder. He said once she was functioning on her own, she would be cleaned. Then have some tests performed on her. The whole process would take about an hour and they weren't allowed in the lab at all, which suited Mulder just fine.
The door opened and Krycek and Yori strolled back in. "Here, Fox." Krycek handed him a sandwich and an ice tea.
"Thanks, Alex."
"How, much longer?"
"About twenty minutes," Mulder replied, taking a large bite from the sandwich. Skinner had refused their offer to bring something back for him.
The three men sat waiting, watching the A.D. pace nervously. Mulder finished the sandwich and ice tea throwing the trash in the proper containers. Thirty minutes later the door opened, Doctor Pendrell walked in with their daughter wrapped in a soft pink blanket Harris followed him in.
"Mr. Skinner, she's perfect," Pendrell told him as he handed the baby over to her father.
Skinner beamed as he held his infant daughter in his arms for the first time, he smiled lovingly down at her tiny face she had thin black hair.
"Walter, she really is a beautiful baby," Doctor Harris said as all the other men gathered around him for a closer look, with the exception of Mulder who stayed back.
Krycek pushed back the blanket and placed his finger into Hope's small hand, watching as the infant clutched it. "She has a strong grip, she must get it from our side of the family," he smiled at his brother, who beamed proudly. The younger man looked around for their lover. "Fox, why are you standing all the way over there? Come over here and see your daughter," Krycek admonished.
Mulder nervously stepped forward and stared down at his child. He chewed thoughtfully on his lower lip, before cautiously reaching his hand out to touch her.
"Fox, would you like to hold her?" Skinner offered.
"No . . . that's all right . . . you keep her."
Skinner gave his lover a speculative look he would get Mulder to hold her when they got home, no use forcing the issue here.
"The press photographer is waiting in the lobby, Walter," Doctor Harris informed him.
"C'mon, Fox, we might as well get the photos out of the way, then we can take Hope and go home," he murmured softly, comfortably holding Hope cradled in one arm, he put his other hand on his lover's back and guided him over to the doorway.
"Walter, while you and Fox are having your pictures taken, I'll be checking on Faith," Krycek said, heading off toward the lab.
"Wait up, Alexei, I'll join you." The Russian hurried out of the room after him.
Mulder sighed, following Skinner down the hallway to where the news photographer had set up his equipment for the photo shoot. The A.D. had refused to allow more than one photographer because of concerns for his daughter's safety.
The man posed them in a number of positions, Mulder's temper flared once when the man wanted a shot of him sitting submissively on Skinner's lap with his arms around the A.D.'s muscular body and his head resting on Skinner's shoulder. Hope was to be no where in the shot. The photographer wanted a romantic photo for the cover of the magazine. Skinner glared at the man and told him no way would his lover be posed in an inferior position to himself.
The photo shoot finally ended after over thirty shots. Krycek and Yori were standing in the doorway watching with amusement. Hope had behaved perfectly throughout it, well she had slept during the entire thing.
"Are we ready to leave, yet?" Krycek asked as Skinner and Mulder strolled up to him.
"More than ready," Mulder sighed, hugging the younger man and sharing a brief kiss. "How's Faith doing?"
"She's doing really well, just five more weeks to go." Krycek hooked his arm around Mulder's waist. He glanced back at his brother who had Hope nestled possessively in his muscular arms. "They'll be almost as close as twins growing up," he said as they walked out the back door toward the truck.
Skinner smiled, "Thank god. I was concern when Hope was first conceived that there wouldn't be another little girl around she could play with. I couldn't have prayed for a more perfect solution than Faith . . . she really is a blessing."
Doctor Pendrell ran out of the building before their truck could leave, handing Skinner a baby bottle through the rolled down window. "You should feed her every two to three hours, don't worry about a schedule she'll let you know when she's hungry."
"Thanks, Doctor," Skinner said, gratefully accepting the bottle. He gently placed the nipple against Hope's lips; the baby opened her tiny mouth and started sucking on the bottle.
"Take care, I'll see you in a couple of weeks for her first checkup." Pendrell waved and watched as the truck eased it's way out of the lot.
The FBI had the parking lot cordoned off, keeping the reporters at least a hundred feet away. They received a police escort out of D.C. until they were halfway home. They finally pulled through their front gate and parked the truck. Tony and Kim rushed over, Tony had been transplanting perennials and pulled off his leather gloves stuffing them into his back pocket.
Skinner handed Hope out of the truck into Kim's waiting hands. "Walter, she's gorgeous," Kim cooed, breathing the wonder baby scent, Hope squinted her small eyes and stared at the new person holding her.
Shinji met them at the door, he looked at the new member of the household. Kim passed the baby to him; he cradled her murmuring softly in Japanese. Hope yawned, closing her eyes, she fell back to sleep. Skinner reached over and retrieved his daughter. Walking into the family room, he placed her into a bassinet he had set up. "There you go, angel, daddy will be right here if you need anything," Skinner murmured quietly to his sleeping infant.
"Rory and I are making dinner, I hope you are hungry," Shinji informed them.
"Shin, you and Rory don't know how to cook." Mulder looked at him worriedly.
"Mulder, we are quite capable of cooking hot dogs, baked beans, and potato chips," Rory grumbled when Mulder stepped into the kitchen. The Scottish Sorcerer was teleporting small dishes of diced onion, tomatoes, and relish to the lazy Susan on the round breakfast table. There were already hot dog buns and potato chips on the table.
"Sorry, do you need any help?" Mulder offered.
"No, just sit your butt down at the table and dig in," MacIver replied as he emptied the baked beans into a serving bowl and carried it and the platter of hot dogs over to the table.
Mulder sat and Krycek joined him, they filled their plates. Yori walked over, looking regrettably at the food. "I'm meeting Lev for dinner in two hours. I'd better get ready, it's over an hour drive to his restaurant," the Russian stated.
"You've been seeing a lot of Lev lately, are you two getting serious?" Mulder asked, taking a bite of his dog.
"Yes and no. Mulder, when you have some time I'd like to ask your advice on a personal matter," Yori requested, looking imploringly at the agent.
"Sure, anytime, Yori."
"Thank you, Mulder, you're a good friend," he replied, leaving the kitchen.
Skinner and Kimberly were still watching Hope as she slept in her bassinet. Tony, Shinji, and Rory sat at the round table and helped themselves to dinner. Mulder glanced over at Krycek, who was shoveling beans into his mouth. The agent held his hotdog in one hand and reached under the table with the other, trailing his hand up Krycek's leg coming to rest on the younger man's groin, he squeezed him through the fabric.
Krycek dropped his fork looking over at Mulder who continued eating his hotdog as if nothing was happening. *You're driving me crazy, I hope you have something in mind?* Krycek silently pleaded.
*Dessert, there's a can of whip cream in the refrigerator, do you know what I want to do with it?* Mulder opened his thoughts up briefly so Krycek could see what he had in mind.
Tony and Rory had both taken a sip of beer when they inadvertently intercepted the image Mulder sent to Krycek, they both spit out the beer choking. When MacIver recovered enough to speak he looked at Mulder. "Please tell me that's not the only can of whip cream in the refrigerator," he begged, glancing over at Shinji.
Krycek broke down laughing hysterically at the look on his lover's face after he realized that everyone at the table except Shinji had just read his thoughts.
"Ah, no, there are three cans, I was planning on making banana splits for dessert tomorrow night," Mulder answered sheepishly.
"Mulder, I'll pick up more cans of whip cream at the store tomorrow . . . but can I borrow one of them?" Tony asked, staring across the kitchen and into the family room at his girlfriend.
"Sure, Tony, help yourself."
Krycek quickly finished the rest of his meal, grabbing his and Mulder's plates. "Hey! I wasn't finished eating, yet," the agent grumbled.
"Yes you were," Krycek snapped, rinsing off the plates and putting them into the dishwasher. He opened the refrigerator and removed the can of whip cream, going back to the table he pulled Mulder to his feet, just as Skinner and Kim were sitting down to eat.
"What's going on, Alex?" Skinner asked.
"Dessert," Krycek smirked, pushing Mulder ahead of him toward the back staircase. He was extremely horny a month of not having passionate sex with Mulder had left him desperate.
They made it to their bedroom, Krycek tossed the can of whip cream on the bed and both men peeled off their clothing, kissing and groping their way into the bathroom for a quick and thorough shower.
They stumbled out of the bathroom lips locked tightly together, and blindly made their way to the bed, collapsing on it. They wrestled for the dominant position, Krycek allowed Mulder to win. The agent straddled the younger man's body, his thighs resting on each side of Krycek's waist. Mulder felt his lover's cock slip between his buttocks. He smiled down at him. Krycek reached up with his hands caressing Mulder from his waist to his hips.
Mulder leaned back, forcing more of younger man's cock in between his buttocks, he picked up the can of whip cream shaking it. Krycek groaned and squirmed underneath him, wiggling his hips, rubbing his cock up and down between Mulder's ass cheeks. The agent pulled away and crawled up his lover's body and brought the can to Krycek's mouth. "Open up." When his lover complied, he squirted some of the whip cream into his mouth, immediately clamped his mouth over Krycek's and swirled his tongue around tasting sweetness and his lover's unique flavor. He deepened the kiss, the younger man held him in a tight embrace as he reluctantly pulled back to breathe.
Crawling down his lover's body, Mulder squirted a dollop over each of Krycek's nipples -- the younger man squirmed as cold cream touched his hot flesh. The agent leaned forward and sucked the whip cream off his lover, scraping his teeth over the younger man's nipples until they stood pebble hard and Krycek was moaning and writhing.
Mulder squirted a trailed down to Krycek's groin, following it with his mouth. He then decorated his lover's long, thick cock, peering up at him. "We really should have brought cherries," Mulder murmured admiring his handy work.
Mulder started licking it off as if he were licking a Popsicle, he brought his whole mouth over Krycek's cock and sucked it in to the base, relaxing his throat muscles to accommodate the younger man's width and length. Krycek gasped as he felt Mulder's throat muscles squeezed his cock, the triple agent grabbed the older man's head and slowly fucked his mouth. Mulder fondled his lover's balls when he felt them creeping up he sucked harder, swallowing the semen as it spurted from his lover's body. When Krycek's penis softened, he allowed it to slip from his mouth, the younger man's body was limp and he was breathing hard.
Mulder patted him on the hip. "Roll over on your stomach," he murmured. Grabbing a couple of pillows, he placed them under Krycek's stomach elevating his hips. Smoothing his hands down Krycek's back, he brought his thumbs between the cleft of the younger man's ass. Mulder pulled his cheeks apart and licked down the crack and over Krycek's anus.
"Oh god, Fox," Krycek moaned pushing his hips back.
Mulder, with a lustful look on his face, picked up the can of whip cream and inserted the nozzle into the younger man's anus and squeezed the trigger.
"Fuck! God! That feels so weird!" Krycek bucked his hips groaned at the sensation of cool liquid filling his rectum.
Mulder pulled the can free, watching as the cream leaked out of Krycek's body. He lowered his mouth and placed it over the younger man's anus, pushing his tongue in. The agent tasted the sweetness of the cream mixed with his lover's earthy flavor, he felt his cock harden over the sensations of tasting, smelling, and feeling Krycek's sphincter muscle clenching his tongue. He held the younger man's hips steady as he pushed in and out of him with his tongue.
"God, Fox, stop! I'm going to come again!"
Mulder was greatly satisfied when he felt the sphincter muscle spasm around his tongue. After Krycek's body relaxed, he pulled his mouth free and put his cock against Krycek's anus. Pushing in, he found no resistance and easily sunk all the way into his lover's beautiful body.
"Shall we try for three times, lover," Mulder whispered huskily into Krycek's ear as he held him pressed tightly against his chest. He sucked the side of Krycek's throat leaving a red hickey. He reached under the younger man's hips he stroked his limp penis, making it jump in his hand. He pulled his cock out, feeling the squishy sensation of the whip cream in his lover's rectum as he pushed back in. He stroked Krycek's cock as he pumped in and out of his tight, hot passage.
"Alex!" Mulder moaned and dug his fingers into the younger man's sides as his muscles clenched up and his orgasm hit, his release poured out of him.
Mulder collapsed on top of Krycek, breathing hard, he gently eased out and rolled off his lover. "Alex, have I told you recently how much I love you?" he murmured quietly, wrapping his arms around the younger man, leaning over to kiss him.
"No . . . you've been rather distant the past month." Krycek grinned against the agent's mouth, smoothing his hand down Mulder's back. He pulled the pillows free and tossed them up to the head of the bed.
"I love you, Alex." Mulder grinned back, yawning as exhaustion started to overtake him. "And, I'm sorry that I was a total prick the past month. I do plan on making it up to you."
"Just having you with me already has. I love you, Fox." He held Mulder as his lover fell asleep in his arms. Then rearranging their bodies so they both were laying on their sides, Krycek snuggled closer. Wrapping his arms around Mulder's body, he fell asleep, too.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Saturday, May 1
10:30 p.m.Skinner rocked his baby daughter while feeding her a bottle, humming softly to her. Hope peered up at him through thick eyelashes as she suckled; she already recognized his scent. When she finished drinking, he place a cloth over his shoulder and positioned her so her tiny head rested on the cloth, he gently rubbed her back until she burped, spitting up a little of the formula. He checked her diaper before tucking her into the crib. Shutting off the light, he walked into his bedroom.
He wondered where Mulder was, he was supposed to help him with their daughter the first month. Shaking his head in disgust at his lover's behavior, he climbed into bed. Before he could fall asleep, Hope started crying from the next room.
Mulder sat nervously in the family room; he couldn't bring himself to go into his and Skinner's bedroom. After he had woken up next to Krycek in their darkened bedroom, he realized how late it was and started to head for Skinner's bedroom, but only made it this far. He got cold feet; he didn't know why he was so frightened of their daughter.
The cushion on the sofa depressed next him and the scent of Lily of the Valley filled the room. "Aleksandra?"
"Now, precious, haven't I asked you to call me mom?" The whispery form of Aleksandra appeared next to him.
"Sorry, mom, why are you here?"
"Fox, don't close your heart on your child, she needs you."
"What if I lose her, how would I deal with the pain?"
"Fox, shame on you, think of your daughter . . . her needs come first! Now go and help my son with my granddaughter!"
Mulder looked down embarrassed, he didn't realize how selfish he was being. Being scolded by your dead and future mother-in-law didn't help matters any. "Sorry, mom," he replied sheepishly, getting off the sofa.
As Mulder neared his bedroom, he heard the baby crying. Opening the door, he peered in and saw Skinner pacing with the baby trying desperately to get her to stop crying.
Skinner glared at Mulder as he walked into the room. The A.D. was dying to yell at his lover for being so inconsiderate. "Where have you been?" he snarled softly not wanting to upset the crying baby further.
"I was with Alex . . . I ah overslept . . . I meant to get down here earlier. I'm sorry, Walter. What's wrong with her?" he stammered.
"I don't know . . . she's not hungry or wet . . . she just won't stop crying. Fox, you hold her . . . I'll go check the book," Skinner exclaimed, easing the baby into his lover's arms. Hope stopped crying immediately, looking up at her other father for the first time. She had smelled Mulder's comforting scent that lingered in the room, and wanted him to hold her.
"She stopped," Skinner whispered.
"Why?" Mulder stared down at the tiny face, he touched her small hands and she clenched his finger pulling it toward her mouth.
"I think she wanted you. Fox, sit down on the bed, we need to talk." Skinner left the room and came back with a velvet box.
"I had these made for us last year." Skinner opened the box revealing two identical silver wedding bands. "I would like us to set a date," he said, handing his lover the box, allowing him to examine the rings.
"Did you have a particular day in mind?" he asked, shifting his daughter so he could look at the rings.
"Ah, next Saturday, the cherry trees are blooming and all the spring bulbs are in full color, it's the perfect time. We could be married in the gazebo out back and my cousin Lev has already volunteered to cater it," Skinner stated quickly.
"Hm, what about a cake?" Mulder inquired, somewhat relieved realizing it would be too late to invite too many people. He really didn't want a large formal wedding. Just a few friends and Skinner's family was fine by him.
"The cake has already been taken care of . . . Alex helped me send out the invitations two weeks ago," he replied sheepishly.
"Walter, you must have been pretty sure I'd say yes. What if I hadn't?"
"My uncle and cousins would have made you . . . ever hear of a shotgun wedding?"
"Walter, your family are Russian immigrants not hillbillies," Mulder snorted. Hope kicked her feet, sucking on Mulder's fingertip.
"Well, you said yes, so it's not debatable." Skinner leaned over and kissed him then stroked their daughter's cheek. "Do you think we can get her to bed?" he asked as he saw her yawning and closing her eyes.
"Yeah, after I change her diaper . . . she feels wet." Mulder stood up carefully and carried her into the nursery, placing the infant on the changing table. He removed the wet diaper and setting it aside, he pulled a wet-wipe from the container and gently cleaned her, then powder her bottom and put a new diaper on her. Mulder placed her in the crib, tucking a blanket around her, he leaned down and kissed her goodnight.
Skinner stood in the doorway watching smiling softly, his concerns about his lover's hesitation to touch their daughter were evaporating. He watched as Mulder opened the covered wastebasket and tossed the soiled diaper in.
"That wasn't too disgusting," Mulder whispered quietly to Skinner, turning off the light and walking out of the nursery. He headed for the bathroom with the older man following him. Skinner leaned up against the sink as Mulder washed his hands and removed his clothes, throwing them into the dirty clothes hamper.
"I'm happy to see you've gotten over your fear of getting too close to our daughter." Skinner reached out and stroked a thumb over Mulder's cheek and down to his lips.
"Your mother scolded me, she told me how selfish I was being," Mulder said, wrapping his arms around Skinner's waist.
"She was here?"
"Yeah, she did say she'd look out for our children. Well, if we're going to be haunted at least it's your mom and not mine," he sighed, resting his head on the A.D.'s shoulder.
"Fox, you loved your mother . . . how can you say that?"
"Walter, she lied to me all of my life. Mom couldn't even tell me the truth about my real father or Samantha. She knew what it was doing to me, but she kept quiet . . . damn her!"
Skinner held his lover tighter. "Fox, you can't doubt that your mother loved you."
"Yes . . . I can. Walter, for the first time in my life I feel loved and wanted, thank you," Mulder sighed.
"Well, you seem to have my mother's love, do you suppose she would ever consider talking to me?"
"Maybe if you didn't behave yourself so well, she'd show up to scold you, too. It must be tough being so perfect," Mulder muttered, climbing into bed.
"Hey, look who's talking," Skinner whispered, climbing in next to him. He traced Mulder's lips with his finger, then leaned down and kissed him, rubbing his erection against the agent's hip.
Mulder moaned into his mouth, squirming until he was under the larger man, he wrapped a leg around Skinner's hip pulling him down on top of him. Skinner gasped as their erections pressed together and the bed creaked loudly under their grinding motions. A little too loudly, the baby started crying from the next room.
"Oops." Mulder started giggling at the look of frustration on his lover's handsome face.
***
Hoover Building
Wednesday, May 5
10:30 a.m.Skinner and Mulder walked into the FBI Hoover Building, the A.D. carried their infant daughter -- Yori had accompanied them. The A.D. discovered on Monday how good the Russian was at taking care of Hope, now he was determined to get the man a job in the FBI Daycare Center. He wanted Hope in the best hands possible while he and his lover were working, he also wanted his daughter as close to him as possible.
Skinner handed Hope to Mulder as he signed Yori in at the guards' desk. He handed the Russian a visitors pass to wear. "Here, Yori, clip this on." The large man took it attaching it to his lapel.
"Good morning, sir," Agent Nelson said as he strolled up to the three men, he looked over at the infant in Mulder's hands. "So, this is Hope, she certainly is a beautiful baby. She looks like you, Sir," the man informed Skinner.
"See, Walter, I told you she looked more like you than me." Mulder smiled at the look of discomfort on the older man's face.
"Oh yes, sir, Agent Mulder is definitely right, there's a strong resemblance," Nelson gushed. He was in his late twenties and had been hired to replace Pendrell after he was killed.
"Ah, thank you, Agent Nelson," Skinner replied, taking Hope from Mulder and cradling her in his muscular arms.
"Have a good day, sir," the agent said cheerfully as he left.
"Shut up, Fox," Skinner snapped.
"I'm not going to say a thing," Mulder chuckled.
"Good."
"Walter, while we're here . . . maybe I could stop by my office and get a few things done," Mulder asked hesitantly.
"No! We're only here to enroll Hope in daycare. Afterwards we're going to have lunch at my cousins' restaurant, they're all dying to see our child," Skinner admonished sternly, receiving many stares from agents passing them in the hallway. No one dared approach them; they glanced sympathetically at Mulder. Hope started crying at her father's loud voice. Skinner glared at Mulder. "Now look what you've done."
Mulder blushed at being yelled at in front of the other agents. He reached over and took the crying infant into his arms, soothing her until she stopped crying. "I'm sorry, Walter. But this really isn't fair . . . I don't see why the Bureau has mandatory paternity leave for both fathers. Besides which, a week after I'm finished with this leave, Faith will be born. Then I'll be forced to take another month off," Mulder replied softly not wanting to startle their daughter.
"Fox, I'm sorry I snapped at you, but please understand that there are some things in life more important than work." Skinner deeply regretted losing his temper, he hadn't been getting much sleep the last few days and he was tired and grumpy.
They entered the daycare, Mulder looked around the facility, he knew many of the little boys from Viva Towers, they all came running up to him.
"Fox, Fox," they shouted, holding up their little hands to be picked up. The boys were all between the ages of three and five. Mulder handed Hope back to Skinner and bent down to hug each of the boys calling them by name, he asked them about their families and what they were learning at the center.
The A.D. watched proudly knowing his lover had a knack with children. The manager of the daycare came over to them anxiously; it wasn't often that someone at Skinner's level in the Bureau came into his facility. He had seen the news stories about the A.D. and his daughter, he was excited that he would have the first female child under his care and guidance.
"Sir, I'm John Wells I run the daycare."
Skinner looked the smaller man over carefully, probing his mind. He wasn't going to take chances with anyone whose care Hope would be placed into. "Mr. Wells, it's a pleasure to meet you, this is my partner Fox Mulder, and a family friend Yori Ysak. We're here to enroll our daughter into your facility and see about getting Mr. Ysak a position here."
"Of course, did you notice the post on our Intranet page that we were looking for a qualified person to hire?"
"No, Mr. Wells. Yori is a clairvoyant . . . I would like him hired to provide added protection and care for our daughter."
"Our staff has all gone through thorough background checks, A.D. Skinner," Wells huffed.
"Mr. Wells, I don't doubt that your staff is well qualified. However, even you will have to admit that our daughter requires additional security and personal care. I want Mr. Ysak providing for her day-to-day care."
"I'm sorry, A.D. Skinner, of course you're right. If you feel confident that Mr. Ysak can provide the specialized care that your daughter requires we will certainly hire him."
From his kneeling position on the floor Mulder looked up at the daycare administrator. "Mr. Wells, Yori won't just be taking care of Hope, when my other daughter is born, he will be providing for her daily care as well." Mulder set the little boy he was holding down and stood up, looking over at Yori who was beaming with pride.
"Very good, Agent Mulder. Let me give the three of you a tour of our facility, then we can fill out the proper paperwork."
***
Moscow
Thursday, May 6
2:30 p.m.Slava sat listening to one of his many officers, his troops were all in place. Saturday morning he would seize control of the Russian Government and become the first Tsar in over eighty years. Over the past two months, Russia had fallen into a civil war and needed a strong ruler to pull it back together.
Captain Mikhin opened the door and walked into the room, he walked up to the Slava and handed him a note. The Cossack smiled reading it, his present had been delivered to Fox for his lover's daughter. He had decided on a campaign of kindness to win his lover back after his clairvoyants had informed him of the high probability for their reunion if he treated the beautiful immortal with kindness and respect.
He would have loved to see Mulder's face when his exquisite present was delivered.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Thursday, May 6
1:00 p.m.Mulder sat on the beautiful antique bed, the frame was intricately carved with a pattern of flowers, the wood finish was white washed. It had tall posts and a sheer canopy overhead, it was a perfect bed for a little girl's room. The fact that it perfectly matched Hope's bedroom, the agent knew was no coincidence. Nikolai Slava must have seen the bedroom in his astral visits to the mansion.
The agent glanced around his daughter's future bedroom as he held Hope cradled in his arms. The room was very colorful with the beautiful floral mural Langly had painted and the matching plush floral rug on top of the hardwood floors. The bed was the perfect match for the rest of the room. Skinner had spent weeks searching for a bed for the room and hadn't found one that fit the decor. Mulder was afraid of his lover's reaction when he found out that this beautiful bed was a present from Nikolai Slava.
Well, at least it would be an hour before Skinner was home. He was in town with Krycek sampling items his cousin was preparing for their wedding on Saturday.
"Hey, Mulder," Frohike said as he entered the room. Walking over to the bed he sat next to his friend, looking at the infant for the first time. "She looks just like Alex, are you sure she's Skinner's?" he stated bluntly.
"Hi, Frohike, actually she looks like Skinner's and Krycek's mother, and yes I'm sure she's Skinner's." Hope had been sleeping, but woke up at the sound of Frohike's voice.
"Can I hold her?" the little man requested holding out his hands.
"Yeah, I thought you'd be out to see her sooner," Mulder replied, carefully handing the infant over to his friend, making sure the little man held her properly. Hope stared up at Frohike with a discontented expression on her face.
"We thought we'd give you some time to get comfortable with being a father first," Frohike replied softly before starting to make silly faces at the baby. Hope became even more distressed looking over at her father, Mulder saw she was on the verge of crying and rescued her.
"Sorry, Frohike, she's still a little shy around new people," the agent cuddled his daughter against his chest and she calmed down immediately.
"No problem, she'll get use to me in time. You know how much kids love me," he replied grinning.
Mulder smiled at his dearest friend. "You said we, are Byers and Langly with you?"
"Yeah, they're down in the kitchen talking to your houseguests. By the way, Mulder, how long are they planning on staying?"
"I don't know. I've been enjoying their company . . . so I haven't pressed the issue. I think Rory would leave if it weren't for Shin, he doesn't seem like the type to stay in one place for too long." Mulder stood up, looking down at Frohike. "Let's go downstairs, I want to talk to Langly about painting Faith's room."
"Oh, by the way, nice bed," Frohike grinned.
"Thanks," Mulder frowned.
They strolled into the kitchen; Byers and Langly came over immediately to see the baby. "She looks like Krycek," they both informed him.
Mulder sighed. He really wanted the baby to look like Skinner, but it seem that the A.D. had gotten his looks from his father, Sergei, and the baby looked like his mother Aleksandra.
He heard a snort and a laugh behind him, turning he saw Walter and Alex in the doorway carrying bags. "Fox, next time you see Agent Nelson you can tell him that our daughter looks like your other lover -- that out to shut him up," Skinner laughed. Setting his bags on the counter, he walked over and kissed Mulder then their daughter.
"What's in the bags?" Mulder asked, ignoring the comment.
"Samples Lev sent with us. He wanted your approval, he knows you're the gourmet among us." Skinner looked at the Gunmen and Rory, Shinji, and Yori. "There should be enough for everyone . . . Lev packed extra."
Krycek had placed the large bags on the counter, while making a stack of plates and silverware float over to the counter, he opened the bags pulling out the Styrofoam containers wrapped in aluminum foil.
"What did he send?" Mulder asked, breathing in the delectable aroma as Krycek opened the different containers.
"A smoked fish platter, caviar, and pickled herring, borsch, meat and cheese blini, meat filled dumplings with sour cream-dill sauce, spicy lamb shish kebab, chicken Kiev, and pirogi," Krycek answered. Reaching for the last bag, he pulled out a gallon jug. "Not to forget, their homemade vodka."
Skinner took Hope from Mulder so his lover could eat and be with his friends. "Alex and I already ate so you go ahead and enjoy yourself. Lev expects a phone call if you approve or disapprove of his dishes."
"Thanks, Walter," he replied, filling his plate with samples of each of the dishes. The other men dug in and joined Mulder at the round breakfast table. Krycek brought the jug of vodka and filled each of their glasses, including his own then sat at the table.
Skinner sat at the counter feeding his daughter a bottle. "I see Tony cleaned and filled the outdoor pool. Did anything else happen while we were gone?" he asked, sensing something was bothering Mulder.
"Ah, we got another present for Hope," Mulder replied hesitantly.
"Hmm, what was it?" Skinner asked, removing the bottle and putting Hope over his broad shoulder to burp her.
"It's in her bedroom, why don't you go up and see for yourself," Mulder replied, savoring the flavor of the meat dumplings, no longer caring if his lover lost his temper. He took a sip of vodka and smiled seductively Skinner.
Skinner looked at him quizzically and walked into the family room, he placed his baby girl in the bassinet then headed upstairs to Hope's bedroom and stopped, shocked at the beautiful bed in the room. It was exactly what he had been searching for the past few months.
He came back downstairs and into the kitchen. "Fox, tell me it wasn't from him," Skinner pleaded, knowing that the only one who could have sent the bed was Slava, it was obviously made by a fine Russian craftsman.
"Sorry, Walter, but it was. Try thinking of it as a peace offering. After all, he did save Alex's life and mine, and it is the perfect bed for Hope's room."
Skinner sighed and walked up to Mulder, kissing him. "Okay, for your life and Alex's life, I'll accept his gift. Damn, Fox, I love you so much."
***